Raley Family Blog: Mozambique Flood Relief Opportunity and Prayer Request

Early this morning we had a group of our staff that traveled to Mozambique. We were given special permission to drive to the border and see the officials there. Our staff team was hoping that they would be able to drive into Mozambique and drive down to Xicumbane and check on the various villages and church leaders along the way. They plan is to also see Pastor Ellias from Dumela and Pastor Masango from Mabuzanne at the Pafuri border to get an update on how things are across the Limpopo River. They are planning to spend two nights in Mozambique and assess the damage as well as see what we as a mission can do to come alongside them and help them during this time.

Please pray for William, Sean, Doug, Debbie, Brad, Jill and Derrick as they travel to Mozambique. We were told that the roads we travel in Mozambique are not passable yet. We will see what they say when our staff arrives. Pray that our vehicles will handle the terrain without any problems.

Please continue to pray for the people in Mozambique that have been affected by the flooding. We will keep you posted as we hear from our staff team throughout the next few days.

This is the update that we got this afternoon ... They were driving in Kruger and almost to the border when they were stopped by a police officer from the South African Police and when William showed him the letter from one of the officials at Kruger (giving us, as a mission,permission to go to the border) the policeman told them to carry on and go and speak to the chief of the post – he was just concerned because both the border posts were still officially closed. William says that they brought police to the Moz border today with helicopter.

When they arrived to Pafuri, Jill said they saw trees uprooted, houses destroyed and the road is washed away ... BUT one thing they did notice is the the World Food Relief tent that was set up at the border in late August was standing.

They met with the Chief of the Post and he said that the biggest need at the moment is to get the food that was donated delivered to Xitsutsweni, Salani and Matsilele (food distribution points) – they need the MAN truck and Samil for this. The Crawfords and the Hixons are spending the night camping at Punda Maria tonight. William, Sean and Derrick arrived back in Polokwane around 6 pm to get the MAN truck and Samil, Derrick will drive the Land Rover back. They will leave again at 4 am Wednesday morning.

William thinks it will take 3 days for them to get the food delivered – they are not sure of the condition of the road. They heard 2 stories, the one version is a guy went in with his vehicle and walked back in knee-deep mud and then the Chief of the Post says that vehicles have gone in and come back. Time will tell which story is right! Also, it has been raining and is expected to keep raining on and off throughout the week.

The next need that we will have is to see how we can help because there is NO food at Makonde Zulu. We are praying for the Lord to provide for us to get aid to this village.

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST ...
Right now we ask that you join us in praying that the Lord will provide for the needs that we have in order to help the people of Mozambique ...

1. That we need to raise money for the fuel to get the donated food delivered.

2. That we need to raise money for food for Mokonde Zulu. Currently, we do not know how many families this entails.

Would you prayerfully consider donating money to Samaria Mission to help with the fuel costs to deliver the donated food to Xitsutsweni, Salani and Matsilele (food distribution points) as well as money to help buy food for Mokonde Zulu.

Please contact us if you have any other questions. Thank you for joining us in prayer.

William, Sean and Derrick arrived back in Polokwane this evening to get the MAN truck and the Samil. They will be on the road first thing in the morning heading back to Mozambique to begin delivering the food along with The Hixon's and The Crawford's.
Here are some pictures of their trip to the border today...